With profound sorrow, we reflect on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis – a beacon of humility, compassion, and unity.
His papacy transformed the Catholic Church into a louder voice for the voiceless. He reached out to the marginalised, the poor, the displaced, and those left behind by society. His encyclical Laudato Si’ reminded the world of our moral duty to care for the Earth and each other. He led by example, living simply and speaking with honesty and courage.
Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh KSG, OBE, one of the world’s foremost interfaith and peace-building leaders, had the honour of meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2018. During that historic meeting, Bhai Sahib presented the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation – a cause Pope Francis not only understood but championed throughout his life. Their mutual respect symbolised a rare and powerful unity: faiths standing side by side in service to humanity.
Pope Francis worked tirelessly to build bridges – between faiths, nations, and communities – grounded in the universal values of love, compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness. His signing of the Document on Human Fraternity with Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb was a testament to this mission: that peace is not only possible, but essential.
Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh paid this tribute to the work and life of the Pope:
“Pope Francis was a light in the world – a rare and remarkable soul who lived the message of humility and service. His life reminds us that peace on Earth begins with love in the heart and unity among all peoples. Let us honour him by continuing to build bridges of understanding between all faiths and all humanity.”
We mourn this profound loss, and offer our deepest condolences to our Catholic sisters and brothers and to all of humanity. We have lost one of the most humble and faithful servants of the Divine – a leader who walked gently with God, and boldly with love.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. His legacy will continue to light the path of all who serve truth, justice, and humanity.
Notes for Editors:
Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh is the Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), a faith-based charitable organisation headquartered in Birmingham, UK, with global outreach across education, health, civic engagement and interfaith work.
In recognition of his tireless efforts to promote peace, reconciliation and interreligious harmony, Bhai Sahib Ji was awarded the Pontifical Order of Knighthood of St Gregory the Great (KSG) by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 – becoming the first Sikh in history to receive this honour. Bhai Sahib Ji received the Papal knighthood with humility, dedicating it to the Guru’s message of selfless service and unity among all humanity.
Nishkam Media Centre 